A Cat’s Prayer

I ask for the privilege of not being born...not to be born until you can assure me of a home and a master to protect me, and the right to live as long as I am physically able to enjoy life...not to be born until my body is precious and men have ceased to exploit it because it is cheap and plentiful. ~ Author Unknown

I'm sure you have seen them in your neighborhood, gathered around dumpsters, in parking lots, in parks, trying to cross busy streets -- they are homeless cats who flee from humans. They are domestic cats, referred to as "feral," the result of both the failure to spay/neuter and cat abandonment. Ferals are erroneously labeled as "wild cats." A mountain lion is a wild cat, a feral cat is a homeless domestic cat.

A group of feral cats living together in one area is called a "colony." Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is an effective, internationally recognized program to reduce, and eventually eliminate, feral cat colonies. Cats are trapped, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and returned to their original location. In a TNR program, a feral cat colony caretaker, who is usually a volunteer rescue worker, feeds the cats on a regular basis and brings them to a veterinarian if they require medical assistance. The resultant group of cats, including any new cats entering the caretaker's sphere, is known as a managed feral cat colony. This program is also referred to as TAR (Trap-Alter-Return). Along with TNR, caregivers promote public education about society's responsibility to our community and to the domestic animals we have created.

The safest place for domestic cats is indoors; cats who are lucky enough to have a home should be kept inside. However, because of the overpopulation crisis, there are not enough available homes. The next best thing for feral domestic cats born outdoors is a managed colony where food, water, shelter, and medical care are consistently provided.

Here are some things that you can do:
* Become involved with feral cat rescue.
* Help educate your community -- become a spokesperson for ferals.
* Make sure all cats in your care are spayed or neutered.
* Support TNR efforts in your community. The biggest obstacle for most caregivers is fighting with hostile neighbors.
* Always choose to adopt, rather than purchase, companion animals.* Ask your shelter to implement a feral cat program based on Trap-Neuter-Return.
* The humane management and reduction of feral cat populations requires a community’s effort. Get involved.
Help end the suffering of these cats and prevent future litters. If you cannot do it on your own, volunteer with a local feral cat rescue organization. Remember: Do not attempt to handle or trap a homeless cat without first consulting with an experienced rescuer.
* If you are unable to help feral cats in your area, please seek assistance from a rescue group or individual rescuer. Ignoring homeless animals is precisely what perpetuates the problem.